unpack

verb

un·​pack ˌən-ˈpak 

unpacked; unpacking; unpacks

transitive verb

1

a

: to remove the contents of

unpack a suitcase

b

: unburden, reveal

must … unpack my heart with words

—William Shakespeare

2

: to remove or undo from packing or a container

unpacked his gear

3

: to analyze the nature of by examining in detail : explicate

unpack a concept

4

: decompress sense 2

unpack a compressed file

intransitive verb

: to engage in unpacking a container

unpacker noun

Synonyms

• disburden
• discharge
• disencumber
• off-load
• unburden
• unlade
• unload

Examples of unpack in a Sentence

It's been a year since I moved here and I still haven't unpacked all of my books.

I unpacked my suitcase as soon as I arrived home.

By the time we got to the hotel, I was too tired to unpack.

She's good at unpacking complex concepts.

Recent Examples on the Web

On Friday, July 19, 2024, when the New Hampshire governor signed three anti-trans bills into law, my family finished unpacking in our new apartment in California. —Abi Maxwell, People.com, 22 Oct. 2024

That implies 1,300 hotel rooms, packing the luggage, unpacking the luggage, putting on the makeup, taking off the makeup, doing the press conferences. —Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 22 Oct. 2024

Here, Artzi unpacks the four major benefits of adding one to your home gym: Versatility Safety Progressive overload Convenience How to pick the best squat rack for you With so many squat racks on the market, the options can be overwhelming. —Erin Bunch, SELF, 28 Oct. 2024

Boxes of fresh produce, squash, potatoes, peppers and other items filled the floor and stacks of crates volunteers quickly unpacked and sorted them. —Corina Vanek, The Arizona Republic, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

unpack

verb

un·​pack ˌən-ˈpak 

ˈən-

1

: to separate and remove things packed

got home and unpacked

2

: to open and remove the contents of

unpack a trunk